Chapter 1308
Collin’s face remained unreadable, his fingers drumming lightly on the armrest as his gaze flicked between them, finally settling on Felix. Though he stayed silent, Felix felt a cold shiver run through him.
“N-no, you’ve got it wrong,” Felix stammered, scrambling to explain. “I just wanted her to cook some soup for my mom, that’s all.”
“Cook for your mom?” Collin cut in, his tone sharp with mockery. “You think you can treat my girl like your personal chef? Who do you think you are?”
Felix’s face flushed red, then drained to white. Fearing another financial hit or worse, he didn’t dare argue. Instead, he bowed his head and muttered, “I’m sorry, Mr. Riley. I crossed a line. It won’t happen again.”
“Get lost,” Collin ordered coldly.
Relieved to escape, Felix nodded quickly. “Right, I’m going, I’m going.” As Felix hurried off, Linsey let out a sigh of relief.
She was grateful Collin had shown up; otherwise, Felix might have clung to her like a persistent shadow.
But then a realization hit her. “What are you doing here?” she asked.
Collin’s expression darkened, his voice sharp. “What, ashamed to be seen with someone like me, with my condition?”
“That’s not what I meant,” Linsey said, frowning.
She had never judged him for his disability, yet he always assumed she did. Before she could dwell on it, Collin’s arm slid around her waist, pulling her close.
“Ah!” Linsey gasped, instinctively grabbing his shoulders. “Collin, are you out of your mind?” Her face flushed with embarrassment. “We’re at a public event with people everywhere. You can’t just hold me like this! Let go.”
“Is it a crime to hold my wife?” Collin asked, his expression stern.
“That’s not the issue! This is a public place!” Linsey countered.
“So what if it’s public?” Collin’s grip tightened, his voice firm with defiance. “You can be all cozy with your ex in front of everyone, but I can’t hold you as your partner?”
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“I…” Linsey faltered, momentarily speechless.
Before she could respond, Collin gently lifted her chin.
“Linsey,” he said, his face inching closer, his breath grazing her ear. “I’m warning you—if you even think about leaving me for that nobody, I’ll beat him to death right in front of you.”
Linsey winced, brushing his hand away. “I’ve told you a thousand times, that’s over. Can you stop with the jealousy?”
“Oh, so I’m the problem for being jealous?” Collin let out a sharp, ambiguous scoff.
The nearby guests began to take notice of the disturbance, their curious eyes drawn toward Collin and Linsey.
Even though the ring of bodyguards made it difficult for onlookers to see exactly what was happening, Linsey felt heat rise to her cheeks. She gently pushed Collin away and rose to her feet.
“Please, not here. You can hold me as much as you want once we’re home,” she whispered.
Her gentle compromise brought a satisfied smile to Collin’s face, and he reluctantly loosened his grip.
The moment Linsey stood up, Lara appeared at her side, having come to find her.